Lalbagh Botanical Garden

Lalbagh ('Red Garden', after the rose plantations that once dominated it) was commissioned by Hyder Ali in 1760 and expanded under his son Tipu Sultan, who imported plants from Persia, Afghanistan, and France. The British colonial administration further developed it after 1856 under Sir Mark Cubbon and the Mysore princely state. Today it covers 240 acres and holds roughly 1,800 plant species. The garden's centrepiece is the Glass House, a wrought-iron-and-glass structure modelled on London's Crystal Palace and built in 1889 to commemorate the visit of the Prince of Wales. It hosts the famous Republic Day Flower Show (last week of January) and Independence Day Flower Show (first week of August) — the two events that draw the heaviest crowds. Other features include the Lalbagh Rock (a 3,000-million-year-old peninsular gneiss outcrop, declared a National Geological Monument), Kempegowda Tower, the Lalbagh Lake, the Mahogany Avenue, and a four-faced floral clock. Early mornings see Bangalore's joggers and yoga groups; late afternoons fill with families. Avoid the flower show weekends if you want a quiet visit.